I get up. Snatch the book right out of his hands.
He looks... disappointed. I almost feel bad for a second.
Then I remember who I'm dealing with. Gio.
"What do you want, Gio?"
He tilts his head. "Get ready. We're going out."
"Huh?"
"You heard me. And you're coming."
"From what universe do you think that's happening?" I shoot back, raising my eyebrows. "We don't hang out. That's not a thing. I don't want anything to do with you outside these stupid meetings. I thought you already knew that."
He doesn't answer right away. Just stares at me, then sucks the inside of his cheek like he's trying not to snap.
"Look, Ravioli," he says.
I flinch at the name but don't respond.
"The way you feel right now? That'sexactlyhow I feel too. I just gotta take you out. Just for tonight. That's it." He shrugs. "It's my mom. She asked. You know how she gets. I don't need to explain it to you. She's gonna keep nagging me till I fucking die. And I don't plan on dying any time soon."
I fold my arms. Smile. "Still not my problem."
He rolls his eyes. "Come on. It's that new open-air club, the one that just launched a few weeks ago. We don't have to talk. Just come with me."
My laugh is dry. I close the book with a firm snap.
"Hard pass."
He steps closer.
"Well, if youdon'tcome, I'll tell her we had sex. And you'll have her texting you for weekly hangouts. Dinners, walks, maybe even a movie night." He tilts his head. "She still likes you, you know. Thinks you're sweet. I can use that against you."
I stare at him. That asshole. Manipulative, and somehow still one step ahead. "You wouldn't," I mutter, looking him dead in the eyes.
"Don't make this hard. Just come with me."
I smile. He's desperate. And I'm enjoying every second of it. It's kinda funny. Kinda satisfying. Like the universe giving the little me a little justice. I smirk.
"If you really want it, beg a little."
He exhales hard. "I don't beg."
I stand up. "Then have fun going alone." I start heading for the door.
His body blocks me before I even take three steps. Chest to chest. He's taller, so now I'm standing in front of his throat, glaring up at him.
"Move," I say.
"Please," he says, and his voice actually drops a little. "Let me take you out tonight."
I grin. "Say my actual name."
He groans. "That's too far."
I tilt my head. "Then I'm walking."
